Pump.



L. L. PRATT..

PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED HOVMS. I912.

Patented May 11, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET I.

4 L L. PRATT.

PUMP." I wmcm'r'ore mmfuov. I5. 1912 1,139,071.

v 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Lola L Pr'a it,

Patented May 11,1915.

L. L. PRATT.

PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV, Y5, I912.

' Patented May 11, 1915.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

wumm L. L. PEATT.

PUMP. APPHCAHON FILED NOV. i5. 1912.

"Patented May 11, 1915.

mummnn wvmwoo'ev I I :32 05 53 Le L. L. PRATT.

PUMP.

APPLICATION FILED NOV 15, $912,

Pntnied Ma 11, 1915.

5 SHEETSSHEET UMTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS L. PRATT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

PUMP.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 11, 1911'.

Application filed November 15, 1812. Serial No. 781,475.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Lotus L. Paa'rr, a citizen of the United States, residin at Philadelphia, in the county of Phila elphia and State of Pennsylvania have invented certain new and usefui Improvements in lumps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to im rovements in pumps, and more particular y to an improved suction or vacuum pump, which may of course be used as a compressor, the object of the invention being to rovide a pump of this character which utilizes in a rotar member, spiral assages, through WhlC water is compelled to move in separate slugs or sections, separated by slugs or sections of air, to induce a suction of air and create a partial vacuum.

A further object is to provide a pump of the character set forth which utilizes a stream or column of water under pressure and divides the water into separate slugs or sections causing the same to move around and also longitudinally of the rotary memher, said slugs or sections of water constituting pistons, drawing in behind them, sections 0 air, so that a ositive suction 15 had and which, of coursejby a slight reversal of parts ma be utilized as a pressure device.

A further object is to rovide a ump of this character which re uces friction to a minimum, which utilizes stufiin boxes merely to prevent leakage, and w ich are not subjected either to suction or pressure, and further provide a pump of this character having a rotary suction inducing member movable without contact with any other art.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a view in ion itudinal section of one form of my improve pump showing the rotary member in elevation. Fig. 2 1s a view in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view in elevation of the rotary member. Fig 4 is a view in longitudinal section illustrating a modification. Fi 5 is a view in section on the line 5-5 0 Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view in elevation of the inner face of one of the end sections of the rotary element illustrated in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a view in section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4, and Fig. 8 is a view artly in section and partly in elevation il ustrating another modi cation.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, 1 represents the casin of my improved pump having removable eads 2 at opposite ends of the easing, and said heads 2 provided with integral brackets B. These brackets 3 are provided with bearing sleeves 4 in which the shaft 5 is mounted. The articular bearing illustrated permits the s aft to run in oil, and is gip alied with lubricant by a suitable mem- The shaft 5 projects throu h stufiing boxes 7 in heads 2, and has fixed t ereto inside of easing 1, mg improved rotary member 8. It is to e un erstood that the stufiing boxes 7 do not support the shaft, but are packed sufiicientl to prevent leakage due to the liquid f0 lowin the shaft, but as no pressure from within or without is upon these stufiing boxes, their packing can be relatively oose, so that a minimum of friction is had upon the shaft.

The rotary element 8 turns inside of a circular chamber 9 formed integrally with an air inlet 10, and a water inlet 11, so that the air is admitted to the central portion of the rotary member and the water inlet discharges tangentially against the center of the rotary element at an angle to the air inlet for a purpose which will hereinafter appear.

he rotary element 8 comprises a-body cylindrical in form but having a plurality of s iral grooves or passages 12 which exten from the center to the ends of the rotary member. These spiral rooves 12 are separated by artitions 13 an the artitions 13 come toget 161 at the center of t e rotary member forming sharp wedge-like walls M. In the particular construction shown, I have illustrated two of these sharp cutting walls at op osite sides of the rotary member, hence dividing the rotary element into two separate grooves or passages 12 at each side of the center of the rotary element, and all of a general spiral shape beginning at the center and dlscharging at the end of the rotary element.

To form the grooves into separate passages, cylindrical shell sections 15 are forced onto the rotar element, and these sections extend from t e ends of the element to a point removed from the center of the element, so that the element hasfree communication at its center with both the air inlet port 10 and the water inlet 11. Furthermore, it will be seen that the shellis spaced from the circular chamber 9 so that there is no frictional engagement between the walls of either. i

To prevent liquid in casing l finding its way into the center of'the rotary element, 1' provide around the shell sections 9, spirally coiled strips .16 which operate when the element is rapidly revolving to keep back any liquid which would tend toenter the circular chamber 9, but it is to be understood that these strips 16 do not contact with the walls of chamber 9, but are close enough to keep out the water by reason of the action of their walls upon the water due to the rapidly revolving rotary element.

An outlet 17 for both liquid and air is pro- .vided in the upper portion of easing 1, and I would have it understood that while, of course, the pump may be coupled up in various ways to do various work, this outlet 17 may be so arranged as to permit the water and air in the casing 1 to be lost. In other words, the water may be carried away to a sewer and the air discharged into theatmosphere, and in this simple form, the water inlet 11 may be connected with any source of supply which gives a pressure, approximating atmospheric pressure at least. In other words, the pump may be connected up in a great many different ways, and a simple form is to connect the water with any ordinary city supply, and of course, regulate the pressure to suit conditions.

In operation, assuming the water to be under pressure and entering through port 11; the rotary element 8 will be rapidly rcvolved in the direction of the arrow indicated in Fig. 2. As each wedge shaped sharp wall 14 comes into contact with the stream of water out of port 11, it will di ride this stream of water and compel it to follow the grooves or passages 12. "The wedge shaped sharp wall 14: then. momentarily cuts oil the supply of water, so that the sections or slugs of water which have been taken into the grooves or passages 12, will induce a suction of air back of them, said air being drawn in through the inlet 10. The next wedge shaped wall 14 will again out off the water, so that the grooves or passages 12 will contain alternate slugs or sections of water and air, both moving rapidly toward the ends of the rotary element by reason of the spiral shape of the grooves and the rapid rotation of the element.

' The rotary element performs the function of dividing the stream of water into slugs or sections and compels said slugs or sections to travel through the grooves of the rotary element, and thereby creating a positive suction toinsure a partialvacuum.

By connecting the outlet 17 with some pressure chamber, it will be readily seen that the pump may be used for pressure purposes as well as for suction, event, the operation will be the same. Furthermore, it will be noted that the rotary element turns in a direction to move its wedge shaped walls 1a against the incoming stream of water. In other words, the water is discharged tangentially against the rotary element and against the end walls 14, but .the rotary element is turning with suliicient rapidity to'cut off this stream into slugs or sections of water and insure a suction of air between the slugs or sections.

In the modification illustrated in Figs. 4, 5, 6, and 7, the casing 18 in which the rotary element 19'is mounted to turn, made in two halves or sections as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 7 to facilitate the assemblage of the rotary element. This casing 18 is provided with heads 2, brackets 3, and bearings 4 to support the shaft 5 the same as in the form shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3. The

shaft 5 also projects through stuffing boxes 7 in the heads 2, but receives its supportfrom the bearings 4, This casinglB has an air inlet 20 which communicates with a circular central chamber 21 in which the intermediate portion 22 of the rotary element 19 is mounted to turn. A water inlet 23 also communicates with this central chamber 21, so that liquid and air are supplied to this chamber as in the form above described. An outlet 24 is provided in the upper portion of the casing 18, and hence the water a hd air are free to escape. In. this form of my invention, the, rotary element 19 comprises three parts, namely, a central member 22 and two end members 25. The central member 22 is formed with a plurality of wedge shaped partition walls 26, which operate like the walls 14 of the rotary element 8 to not only divide the stream of water, but also cut off the stream of water momentarily. The end members 25 are formed with helical passages 2'7- which communicate at their inner ends with the opposite sides of the walls 26, and at but in any their outer ends discharge into the casing insa'oai of curved blades or vanes 28 which throw the water outwardly. It is to be understood that theseblades or vanes do not touch metal, and hence the friction is reduced to a minimum.

' and 32 through both of which shaft projects. Inchamber 31, a rotary water pump 33 is located and operated by the shaft 5, said pump being connected by a pipe 34 with the water inlet 35 of my improved pump 36. The pump 36 illustrated in elevation 1n the chamber 32 corresponds in operation to the pumps above set forth, and I would'have it understood that either form of pump above described may be utilized in the chamber 31. In this modification the water-does not escape through the outlet 37, but flows over the partition 80 and is utilized over and o'ver again by the pump 33. The operation of this device is like that above described, the air entering inlet 38 and through the medium of the slugs of water, drawn longitudinally of the rotary element, and such air bubbling up through the water in the casing 32 and escaping through the outlet 37.

Variousslight changes might be made in the general form and arrangement of parts described without departing from my invention, and hence I do not limit myself to the precise details set forth, but consider myself at liberty to make such changes and alterations as'fairly fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: I

1. In an air pump, a chamber of circular cross section provided in the periphery with water inlet and an air inlet spaced apart 'circumferentially, a rotary impeller within said chamber and provide with a spiral passage way, and means to: positively rotating scribed. v

2. In an air pump, a chamber provided with an air inlet and a water inlet, the latter extending substantially tangentially into said chamber, a rotary impeller within said chamber and provided with'a spiral passage way and means for positively rotating said 'impeller in a direction opposite to that of the inflowing water, substantially as de scribed.

3. In a pump, the combinationwith a casing, of a rotary impeller mounted in the cas-v ing, a driving shaft secured-tothe rotary impeller and projecting through the casing,

said rotary impeller t inge plurality of said impeller, substantially as defrom the center of the. rotary impeller, substantially as described.

circuitous passages beginning at the center of the rotary impeller and discharging into the'casing, said casinghaving air and water inlets at an angle to eachother, and both communicating with the center of the rotary an angle to each other, of a rotary impeller mounted to turn in the casing within the circular chamber and out of contact with the walls of the latter, a driving shaft secured to the rotary impeller and projecting through the casing, said rotary impeller having a plurality of circuitous passages beginning at the center of the rotary impeller,.and division walls on the rotary'impeller constructed to intermittently cut 03 the supply of water, whereby the water in the passages is com polled to flow in acontinuous series of separate slugs or sections and induce a suction of air between them, said casing having an air and water outlet above said chamber whereby the latter remains submerged, and means on the rotary impeller for deflectin the water away from the central chamber in" the casing, substantially as described.

5. In a pump, the combination with'a casing having a central circular chamber, and

air and Water inlet ports communicating with said chamber and located at an. angle "the rotary impeller and extending to the ends thereof, and shell sections secured on the rotary impeller and extending over the grooves from their ends to 'pointsremoved f 6. In a pump, the combination with; a

.casing having a central circular chamber,

and air and water inlet ports communicate: mg with saldchamber, and located at an angle to each other, of a cylindrical rotary impeller mounted to turn in said central chamber, a driving shaft secured to the rotary impeller and projecting through the casing, said rotary impeller having a plurality of spiral grooves beginning at the c'enthe grooves from their ends to points reing around the rotary impeller, and wedge moved from the center of the rotary imshaped cut of? devices on the rotary impeller peller,,and means on the outside oi: the shell directing the water into said passages and exerting pressure on the water in the casing intermittently cutting off the supply of 5 to. move it toward the ends of the rotary im- \atcr, whereby the water is compelled to peller. substantially as described. move in sections or slugs through the pas T. In a pump, the combinationwith a cassages, spaced apart, and induce a suction 0 ing having a central circular chamber, and air between them, substantially as described. air and water-inlet ports communicating 11. In a pump, the combination with a. 10 with said chamber, and located at ah angle casing, ot a rotary-impeller mounted in the J to each other, of a cylindrical rotary imcasing, a driving shaft secured to the ropeller mounted to turn in said central chamtary impeller and projecting through the her, a driving shaft secured to the rotary casing, said rotary impeller having a plu-v impeller and projecting through the casin rality of circuitouspassagcs beginning at H) said rotary impeller having a plurality of the center of the rotary impeller and disspiral grooves beginning at the center of the charging into thecasing, said casing having rotary impelle' and extending to the ends an air inlet communicating with the center thereof, and shell sections secured on the of the rotary impeller and having a ,water rotary impeller and extending over the inlet adaptedto direct water rnu'lerpressure 20 grooves from their ends to points removed tangentially against the center of the rofrom the center of the rotary impeller, tary impeller, and both communicating with means on the outside of the shell exerting the center of the rotary impeller, said ro'- pressure on the water in the casing to more tary impeller having wedge shaped walls it toward the ends of the rotary impeller, operating to separate the current of water 25 said means comprising spiral strips secured into the several passages, and intermittently to the enter face of the shell sections, subcut 'oft'ft-he supply of 'watcr, whereby the Stnntlflui described. I 1 water is divided in tlie passages into a plu- S. in a pump, the combination with a casrality of separate slugs or sections inducing ing, of a shaft mounted in said casing and a suction of air between them, substantially 1,0 projecting beyond the ends thereof, a rotary as described. 4 1

impeller onsaid shaft in the casing, said 12. In a pump, the combination witha casing having a circular chamber surroundcasing having a central circular chamber, ing the central portion of the rotary imof a rotary impeller mounted to turn in the" peller, and air and water inlets communicasing within the circular chambe rrand out as eating with said chamber at an angle to each of contact with the walls of the latter, said. other. and said rota'ry impeller having a casing having an air-inlet communicating plurality of circuitous passages beginning withthe center of impeller and at the center of the rotary impeller and exhaving a'watemnlet adapted 'to direct water tending to the ends'thercof, substantially as umlcr. ,pressure tangentially against the con 40 described. lcr the rotary impeller, said rotary im- 9. In a pump, a casing provided in its pepeller' having a plurality of circuitous pasriphery'with a water inlet and an air inlet sagcsbcginning at the center of the rotary spaced apart circun'ifcrentially, a rotary imimpeller, and division walls on. the rotary peller in said casing and wedge shaped cut impeller constructed to intermittently cut a 45 ed devices on the rotary impeller adapted olt the supply of water, whereby the Water to divide the water into a continuous flow in the passages is compelled to flow in a of spaced slugs, said air and water inlets continuous series of separate slugs or secbeing a rrangcd substantially in the path of tions and induce a suction of air between rotation. 01'' the apcxes of said wedge shaped them, substantially as described. I 50 dcvices, substantially as described. In testimony whereof I have signed my 10. In a pump, the combination with a name to this specification inthe presence of easing, of a rotary impeller in the casing, two subscribingwitnesses.

a driving shal't secured to the rotary imi ii T pellcr and projecting through the. casing, LOUIS PHAT 55 means for directing water and air into con- 'Witnesses:

tact with the rotary impeller, said rotary im- R. Zrncnnn,

pcller ha ring a'pliu'ality ol passages extend- S. \V. F os'rnn. 

